About Okaeri
Mission
To create visibility, compassionate spaces, and transformation for LGBTQ+ Nikkei and their families by sharing our stories and providing culturally-rooted support, education, community-building, and advocacy.
Vision
We envision a safe, loving, and accepting world for LGBTQ+ Nikkei and their families where all identities are celebrated, respected, and embraced.
Values
Love, Hope, Courage
It all started when…
In 2014, a group of LGBTQ+ Nikkei, parents of LGBTQ+ Nikkei, and allies of LGBTQ+ people organized Okaeri: A Nikkei LGBTQ Gathering, the first-ever conference focused on LGBTQ+ Nikkei.
Okaeri was a great success. More than 200 people from across the U.S., Hawaii and Canada attended. Okaeri inspired Nikkei in Seattle, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area to organize similar gatherings.
In 2016, a second Okaeri took place successfully attracting another 200 participants.
In 2018, the third Okaeri conference occurred, which offered Japanese-language programming in addition to our existing community-based and educational content.
In 2021, the fourth Okaeri Conference was held virtually for the first time, and close to 300 people attended 33 workshops and/or affinity groups. The virtual format allowed people to join from around the world— people came from at least 17 states around the US and 5 foreign locations, including Peru, Canada, Singapore, Japan and Korea.
But too many LGBTQ+ Nikkei are still estranged from our families and the Nikkei community. The need for acceptance, healing and the undoing of homophobia and transphobia continues. Join us for an inclusive Nikkei community at Okaeri.
Okaeri is an opportunity for you to:
Connect with LGBTQ+ Nikkei and allies
Find support, resources and information
Learn how Nikkei have embraced their LGBTQ+ family members
View our Community Agreements here.
Our Sponsors
Okaeri extends a heart-felt "Domo!" to all our sponsors, including our Venue Sponsor, Japanese American National Museum, and our Fiscal Sponsor, Little Tokyo Service Center.